RNS Number:8672Q
Total S.A.
14 October 2003

                        UK North Sea: Start-up of Nuggets N4

Paris, October 14, 2003 - total operator with a 100% interest, announces today
the start-up of the Nuggets N4 gas field in the Alwyn area of the North Sea 440
Kilometers north east of Aberdeen.

This start-up comes less than one year after British authorities sanctioned 
the project.

Nuggets N4 will initially produce around 1.5 million cubic metres of gas per day
that will be sent along with production from Nuggets N1, N2, N3 via Alwyn North
to the Scottish Saint Fergus Terminal.

Nuggets N4 Highlights the success of the phased development plan for the Nuggets
fields and confirms Total's commitment in the UK North Sea to investing in the
exploration and development of fields that permit the maximum utilization of
existing infrastructures.

Total is the fourth largest oil and gas company in the world with operations in
more than 120 countries.  Total's activities cover the whole energy chain of the
petroleum industry; exploration, oil and gas production, refining and marketing,
trading and power generation.  The Group is also a major player in chemicals
through its chemicals branch, Atofina Total has 121,000 employees worldwide. 
More information can be found on the company's website: www.total.com



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